… all I can think about is the message to the many Rhode Islanders who are unemployed or otherwise struggling.  Namely: You and your suffering are not by a long stretch our top priority. Consider:

The agreement signed Thursday is aimed at coordinating efforts among the eight states so that incentives, zoning laws and other ideas for promoting zero-emission vehicles can be more quickly implemented.

“What I expect will come out of this pact is that Rhode Island will consider the full menu of options for incentivizing electric vehicle purchases and there will be additional charging stations,” said Al Dahlberg, founder of Project GetReady Rhode Island, the local affiliate of the national initiative to promote electric vehicles.

Why are elected officials in Rhode Island even thinking about this sort of thing?  No wonder we languish in so many national rankings.  No wonder the population is apathetic and feeling as if nothing can change.